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North Korean leader Mr. Kim Jong-un has announced significant shifts in the country's approach to relations with South Korea, indicating a departure from previous policies. He declared that three organizations focused on reunification efforts would be disbanded, according to reports from state media KCNA.
In response, South Korea's President emphasized a firm stance, stating that any provocation from the North would be met with a much stronger response from the South. The division between the two Koreas dates back to the end of the Korean War in 1953, which concluded without a formal peace treaty, leaving them technically at war ever since.
During a speech at the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea's leader proposed amending the constitution to emphasize South Korea as a primary adversary. He suggested that in the event of a conflict, the constitution should reflect aims of "occupying," "recapturing," and "incorporating" the South into North Korean territory. Mr. Kim, who succeeded his father Kim Jong-il in 2011, asserted that while North Korea does not seek war, it is also not inclined to avoid it.
These developments mark a significant departure from past approaches to inter-Korean relations, with Mr. Kim advocating for a more confrontational stance. Additionally, he announced the dismantling of organizations dedicated to reunification efforts.
In response to North Korea's increasingly provocative rhetoric and actions, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reaffirmed the South's readiness to retaliate forcefully against any aggression from the North. This escalation in tensions follows the suspension of a five-year military agreement by North Korea, aimed at reducing military tensions with the South.
Analysts, including Dr. John Nilsson-Wright from Cambridge University's Centre for Geopolitics, describe Mr. Kim's remarks as unprecedented, highlighting the departure from previous unification policies. Dr. Nilsson-Wright attributes Kim's shift in stance partly to the disappointment stemming from the failed 2019 summit with then-US President Donald Trump.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have intensified in recent months, with North Korea's suspension of military agreements and provocative actions including missile launches and military exercises near South Korean territory. The situation has led experts to express concerns about the risk of escalation, with some suggesting that Kim Jong-un may have made strategic decisions leading toward conflict.
Meanwhile, North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is in Russia, where she is expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin. This visit underscores the growing ties between the two countries, both of which have faced isolation from Western powers. Previous meetings between Kim Jong-un and Putin have further strengthened bilateral relations.
English (US) ·